Farmers in the Muriqani area of Albania are facing a severe pricing imbalance in cucumber sales, with farm-gate prices falling to around 20 old lek per kilogram while retail prices in urban markets rise several times higher. Despite strong production in greenhouse farming during the current season, incomes remain insufficient to cover basic production costs, creating growing financial pressure across rural households, local media reports.
Farm-gate cucumber prices drop to 20 lek per kilo in Muriqani greenhouses
In the agricultural area of Muriqani, cucumber producers report that buyers are offering extremely low prices, often refusing negotiation even during peak harvest periods. Farmers say the current level of around 20 lek per kilogram no longer reflects the real value of their work or the cost of maintaining greenhouse production.
 |
Retail cucumber prices in Albania reach up to 150 lek per kilo
While farmers receive minimal payment, cucumbers are sold to consumers at significantly higher prices in retail markets, in some cases reaching around 150 lek per kilogram. This widening gap highlights a structural imbalance in the supply chain, where value increases dramatically between farm and shop shelves.
High production costs and labor shortages intensify pressure on farmers
Greenhouse farmers are also dealing with rising input costs, including fertilizers, fuel, irrigation systems, and maintenance materials. At the same time, a shortage of seasonal agricultural workers is making harvesting and daily farm operations more difficult, increasing dependence on family labor and long working hours.
Farmers say intermediaries dominate the supply chain and reduce their earnings
Producers argue that multiple layers of intermediaries control distribution, buying cheaply from farms and reselling through several steps before reaching consumers. This system significantly reduces the share of profit going to farmers, even when market demand remains stable.
Economic strain pushes some Albanian farmers toward debt and migration
Many growers report increasing debt and financial instability, with some considering leaving agriculture entirely. The combination of low farm-gate prices and rising costs is making long-term farming less sustainable, especially for smaller greenhouse operations.
Calls for fairer agricultural pricing and stronger market regulation in Albania
Farmers are calling for improved regulation of agricultural markets to reduce price distortions and ensure fairer distribution of profit along the supply chain. Without structural changes, they warn that more producers may abandon farming, threatening local food production stability.